Your sister is calling you! Your sister is calling you~!
The man groaned, feeling over his nightstand for the phone.
"Hey," he covered a yawn, "No…I didn't. I am," he checked the clock, "I'm not sleeping. I'm on my way to you," he lied, "I didn't forget about you. I didn't, I've just been busy. Gunner was up all night. I'll be there soon, ok sis. I love you."
"Ok, love you too. Tell your mean ole wife I love her too."
"She's not mean, but I'll tell her. See you soon," he hung up and faceplanted into Jessica's chest. He groaned loudly before tapping her thigh, "Wake up, sweets."
"I don't want to," she complained, putting her arm over her face, "Lets just pretend it's still night."
"Can't, promised Sharon I would take her and the girls out for the day, and you told the kids that you would teach them how to make caramel apples."
"D mmit," she whined, "I hate making promises."
"It's not the promises that are the problem. It's someone being cranky and keeping us up all night," he rubbed his face again, "I'm going to check on the boys."
"No, you're going to go get ready to hang out with your big sister," she grabbed his arm, pointing in a scolding manner, "I will take care of them," she pulled him into a kiss, "You've been such an amazing husband and father."
Virgil followed the pull, exchanging some kisses himself, "How amazing have I been?" he smirked, his hand caressing the smooth skin of her waist.
"Let me show you," Jess pulled the covers up, leaving them to both giggle under the blanket.
X
After a shower Jess stepped to the nursery to check her youngest baby first. Miguel had fallen asleep in the nursery with Gunner. With his crying last night, and the previous two nights, they had been dealing with him in shifts. He was currently in the glider with the baby on his lap, asleep chewing his finger.
"Lyla, I know you have pictures."
"Already sent them to you, Virgil, and several others."
"You had better," she beamed from the adorable nature. But no time for that, had to get them both ready to start the day. And set up for teenagers in her house.
"Time to wake up," Jess gently took Gunner from Miguel's lap.
Reflexively he grabbed the infant, until he realized what happened, "Why is it time to wake? Make the sun go away."
"I tried, it was very defiant," she shook her head, taking the baby to get changed and fed, "And you, grumpy pants, out here being loud."
Gunner looked up at his mama as she scolded him. He had no idea what she was saying, but it was mommy, and he was happy to see her.
"Don't you flash that manipulative smile at me. Don't be like your daddy," she scoffed, giving his tummy kisses, "Are you ready to see some of my other children today? Are you ready?"
Baby cooed as he received his morning affections.
"Miguel, why don't you pick out your clothes for today and wait in your room?" she turned, seeing him asleep again, having never moved from the chair, "Ok, I'll pick your clothes for you."
X
"This is where she lives? So average," Hobie looked about the outside of the house, "Maybe I was expecting too much."
"Considering that most of us have average homes, yea, probably," Gwen rolled her eyes, "It's nice, even nicer inside. Come on," she pushed the three.
After several knocks Jess answered, "Ah, there my other little ankle biters are. Come in. Shoes off, that means you, Hobie."
"On it," he began the long task of untying his boots.
"Hi Jess, hi Miguel," Pav and Miles waved.
Mig waved from the couch.
"Alright guys. I gotta finish setting up the kitchen, you can play the game with Miguel."
"What games are we playing?" Miles jumped to the ground, investigating the game system, "Oh! My dad had this game!"
"You think you stand a chance?" Mig scoffed, amused.
"Oh, you play?" Hobie smirked, "Boot it up."
X
The cacophony of yelling and cheering was mildly headache inducing after a difficult night with a six month old. Thankfully things were set up and she could break them all from that.
"Ok, time to make your apples," Jess called to the group.
"One more round!" Miguel spammed.
"You play like a girl!" Hobie shouted.
"Says the loser," Gwen smirked, beating them both.
"Finish the round and come on," she grabbed the baby from his walker, taking him from the loud room and bringing him to his highchair.
"We're coming," the blonde said triumphantly.
"Ohhh," Pav inhaled all the delicious aromas, "It's so nice," he quickly grabbed an apple on a stick.
"Dip it in your caramel, and add what you think will be nice," she informed them.
Pavitr didn't need to be told twice as he dipped his apple and rushed the candy pieces. Hobie liked his plain, while Gwen put sprinkles on hers and Miles and Miguel put nuts on theirs.
"Ok, we put it in the freezer so it can get hard. Shut it Hobie," she didn't even let the teen attempt an obvious joke as she carried the tray off.
He had his finger lifted but slowly lowered it, tapping it on his knee, "Can we go back to the game?"
"I'm getting tired of shouting, so we're going to change things up."
X
Miles moved his little character across the board. Some board games had been pulled out for more quiet play. This gave Jess a chance to soothe her head and make them some snacks.
"Here we are," she passed out juice boxes, muffins and fruit, "Gwen who likes strawberry and cuties, but not bananas. Pav who loves cantaloupe and grapes, Hobie, who loves bananas and strawberries, Miles, who isn't picky and gets a cutie and grapes. And, of course, Miguel gets bananas and cantaloupe.
She received a chorus of thank yous as everyone dug in. Gunner made sure to harass Miguel for his food, occasionally receiving a piece of fruit 2099 had partially chewed. Only grossing the teens out a little.
With monopoly finished they had moved on to Trouble, then Candyland before Jess called to their attention again.
"Ok, it's almost 1:30, y'know what that means?" she grabbed the infant off of Mile's lap, "Naps. Blankets and pillows and changes. Miguel, come gather them some things."
"Eh? What's this now?" Hobie scoffed, "I'm a man, luv. Ain't no little boy to be put down."
Jess looked at him, unamused, "You're taking a nap."
"An' if I don't?" he smirked.
"We can discuss it in the office," she responded to his smirk with a smile, waving her arm towards the hallway.
X
Hobie silently wiped his tears into the pillow, keeping his back to the others. They wanted to ask if he was ok, but thought it better just to lay down like Jess had requested/demanded.
"You all enjoy your naps, when you wake we will have lunch, enjoy our apples and a movie," Jess put on a compilation of bedtime stories on the tv.
"Uhm, why do we have to nap though?" Gwen asked, trying not to sound defiant.
"In case you go patrolling, you'll have had some rest to counterbalance the potential late night you'll have," she waved a hand, "Now, shh and sleep."
Valid enough.
X
"Hey, time to wake up," Jess gently shook everyone's shoulders, "Come on guys, time to wake."
Pav stretched out on his makeshift kindermat, "That was really good…"
"You guys ready for lunch? I made mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. And we can watch a movie with our apples."
Most of the waking group just gave some form of agreement, before shuffling into the kitchen to eat.
After food Jess put on Emperor's New Groove, leading to everyone enjoying, while loudly crunching their apples.
By the time the teens left it was just after dinner, so they managed to squeeze another meal out of Jess.
"That was fun, I hope we can do it again soon," Patvir clapped.
"You ok?" Miles whispered to Hobie.
The older teen crossed his arms, "I don't want to talk about it."
X
"That annoying act may work with other teenagers, but it's just tiring to adults in the know," Jess chided.
"Act?" He smirked, "Just my amazing personality."
She shook her head, "All Spidermen act. And you're no different. You can be cool for your friends, but you don't have to be a brat all the time to the adults. There's nothing wrong with wanting attention."
The punk blinked at her comment. He quickly stretched, giving her and the baby his back, "No clue what you're on about, luv. Just don't like being told what to do."
Jess turned him back to face her, grabbing his chin, "I see right through you, little boy."
"Like you saw through red eyes in there?"
"Much friction as you and him have, you act very alike."
Hobie scowled, "Oh yeah, how?"
"You're both super pouty. Neither of you can admit when you want attention. When you want someone to ease your load. Gotta always look strong and in control," she gave him a sympathetic gaze.
He crossed his arms, keeping his gaze at the ground.
"You don't have to only get negative attention," she rubbed his cheek with the side of her finger, "I'm becoming very fluent in needy little boy and I have no problem giving you what you crave."
Hobie leaned towards the gentle touch, eyes welling with tears.
"Now, I want you to go out there, lay down on your pillow and take a nap. You'll feel better, and when you wake we'll have more fun. Does that sound good?"
The punk looked aside, using his wrist to wipe his eye, "I guess."
"Thank you."